Tire inflation method

Abstract

A method of inflating a tire, or vehicle tire, that minimizes the amount of time needed for same is disclosed. The method of inflating a tire with a tire pressure management system includes introducing continuous fluid flow of a fluid into the tire, ascertaining the dynamic pressure of the fluid during said introducing continuous fluid flow, terminating continuous fluid flow when the dynamic pressure exceeds or equals a predetermined amount, and introducing pulsed fluid flow of the fluid into the tire.

Description

BACKGROUND OF HE INVENTIONConventional tire pressure management systems typically have central tire inflation systems (CTI systems), also known as on-board inflation systems and traction systems. These tire pressure management systems are well known, as may be seen by reference to the following U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,516,379; 5,313,995; 5,273,064; 5,253,687; 5,180,456; 5,179,981; 5,174,839; 5,121,774; 4,924,926; 4,922,946; 4,917,163; 4,893,664; 4,883,106; 4,883,105; 4,825,925; 4,782,879; 4,754,792; 4,724,879; 4,678,017; 4,640,331; and 4,619,303. The entire disclosure of each of these patents is incorporated herein.Generally, tire pressure management systems employ a pneumatically controlled wheel valve that is affixed to each vehicle wheel assembly for controlling tire pressure in response to pressure signals from a fluid control circuit. The fluid control circuit is connected to each wheel valve via a rotary seal assembly associated with each wheel valve. In some systems, tire pressure i...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention provides a method of inflating a tire, or vehicle tire, that minimizes the amount of time needed for same. The method of inflating a tire with a tire pressure management system includes introducing continuous fluid flow of a fluid into the tire, ascertaining the dynamic pressure of the fluid during said introducing continuous fluid flow, terminating continuous fluid flow when the dynamic pressure exceeds or equals a predetermined amount, and introducing pulsed fluid flow of the fluid into the tire.

Problems solved by technology

Over time, the energy costs for operating a tire inflation management system can grow.

Also, although not continuous, tire inflation management systems chronically draw compressed fluid from, thus have potential for compromising, a vehicle compressed fluid supply that services higher priority vehicle systems, such as a vehicle braking system.

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